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Matthew 9:1-8 Your Sins are Forgiven

Matthew 9:1-8Your Sins are ForgivenWC McCarter

Introduction

The forgiveness of sins is a
distinctive of Christianity. No other belief-system on earth offers atonement
for sin. Other religions may all have a concept of the after-life (for example
Buddhism teaches that one ceases to exist, Islam teaches that men are taken to
a paradise where they receive 72 virgins, Mormonism teaches that godly men
become gods of their own worlds, and the list goes on), but only Christianity
offers a true heaven where we will dwell with God forever. Christianity also
explains why things are the way that they are (people have sinned against a
holy God), and Christianity offers atonement for those sins. Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, has come into the world and taken our sin upon Himself that we may
become the righteousness of God. We are told exactly how one is saved from this
present wicked age and the wrath to come: put your faith in the One that the
Father has sent, Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

In today’s sermon text, Matthew, by
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recounts one of the few recorded descriptions
of Jesus declaring someone’s sins forgiven. Now remember, Matthew told us in
chapter one what the angel said to Joseph. The messenger said, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” This was
Jesus’ mission on earth. This is why the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Let us take a look into the narrative of Matthew 9:1-8.

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Your Sins are
Forgiven vv1-2

Capernaum
has become the Lord’s new hometown. Matthew records three sets of miracles that
happen on each side of the Sea of Galilee. He
healed a leper with only a touch. He healed the centurion’s servant without
evening seeing the boy. He also healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. He
then cast out many demons with only a word. He calmed the storm on the sea.
Then He cast out many demons from two men and into the herd of swine. These
miracles have shown and will continue to show His Lordship. You can see from
Matthew’s arrangement of the narratives that he is building up more and more
evidence to demonstrate Jesus’ divinity. Now he shows us that Jesus even deals
with sin. It is one thing to heal a sickness which is only for this life. It is
another thing to have the power to deal with sin which is relevant now and into
eternity.

This is the famous story of the men who lowered their friend
through the roof. Matthew does not give us that detail as he retells the story.
He is focused on one point: Jesus’ authority and power to forgive men their
sins. This is an important passage. If the Messiah cannot forgive sin, if He
does not have that authority, then He is merely human and can save no one.

What was it that prompted Jesus to intercede in this man’s
life? Faith is what God requires. Faith is what God desires from us. He wants
us to trust Him, that what He has done is enough to save us now and forever. We
are challenged everyday to trust our self, our spouse, a friend, this world, a
career, or to trust God Almighty. He offers the better promises and who can
fulfill what they have said? We are forced to put our trust in a presidential
candidate as if he can save us and our country. Let me say this, God has already
proven His worth. He has shown His love.

Why Do You Think Evil
vv3-5

Blasphemy is a great sin. It was then and it is now. Then,
according to their law, the blasphemer could be stoned to death for this
grievous sin. Only God can forgive sins because ultimately all sin is committed
against His holiness. To declare someone forgiven of all their sins is to stand
in the place of God. To claim the authority to forgive sins is to claim to be
God. Of course, the scribes look at this man, Jesus, and see nothing divine
about Him. If that is the case, then what He has said is blasphemous. So, you
see, Jesus is claiming to be God.

In His divinity, Jesus knows the hearts of men. He knows
what is inside of individuals. He knew that the scribes thought evil within themselves,
just as He had seen into the hearts of the other men and found faith.

Which is easier to say? “His opponents said nothing, but the
answer was obvious: both things are equally impossible for men and both are
equally possible for God” (MacArthur, 54). You see, Jesus can both heal the
effects of sin and sin itself.

But That You May Know
vv6-7

Jesus does not even have to finish His sentence with words
to prove His authority. He displays His divine authority and power by healing
the man. He does so with only a spoken command.

They Marveled and
Glorified God v8

On this occasion, the crowds to not plot against the Lord or
cry out, “Crucify Him!” No, this time they marvel (which may have a sense of
fear in it) and they glorify God.

This miracle was unmistakable and undeniable. It also proved
Jesus’ claim.

Conclusion

There are two ways to respond to Christ’s offer of the
forgiveness of sins:

1) Reject the offer as blasphemous and respond with evil

or

2) Recognize the offer as truth and respond with faith.

Your sins can be forgiven! If you have already committed to
Christ, then you live forgiven.

If you never have yielded to His call, you still can even
today.

If you have sinned since becoming a Christian, He is
faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all
unrighteousness if you genuinely confess those sins to Him.